White-spotted Munia

Fairly distinctive swift found in northwestern South America. Medium-sized with slightly notched tail. Blackish overall with a white throat and white band across the lower belly. Namesake white tips on tail can be difficult to see. Compare with Andean Swift, which has longer, more sickle-shaped wings, a deeper forked tail, and more extensive white on the breast. White-tipped is typically found in small flocks at fairly high elevations, from around 1,300 to 2,700 m (higher than Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift), and often does not associate with other swift species. Occurs over a variety of habitats including forest and drier, more open areas.

Small, drab, olive-green tinkerbird. The most distinctive markings are two yellow wingbars and a yellow rump. Also note the mostly dark bill with a pink base. Found in forest and lush woodland. Usually detected by voice: accelerating trilled phrases that are repeated, sometimes for a long time. Also gives a slower series of several tooting notes. Very similar to Moustached Tinkerbird, but only overlaps slightly in range, and separated by the plain face.

A very large swift with broad wings pinched at the base, a protruding front, and a bulky rear. Short tail has well-defined spines that can be seen even in fast flight. It has blackish-brown upperparts with a pale-brown saddle, often difficult to make out; the underparts from the throat to the lower breast are dark brown, ending in a well-demarcated deep “V” that contrasts strongly with the white belly, vent, and undertail. When seen well, it shows white lores, a feature absent in other large needletails. It has an extremely fast and powerful flight and hence can suddenly appear from nowhere and disappear quickly.